So many people request low-maintenance that I normally just assume this is their desire, without actually asking about it. Perhaps I shouldn’t assume. What do clients really mean when they request a “low-maintenance” garden? I think it means they don’t want to waste time and money, which is a very rational request indeed. A low-maintenance landscape is one that does not require much human involvement to maintain a desired look.

Clients who want low-maintenance do not want to create a situation where there is unfinished work to do outside, and they have neither the time nor desire to do it. They do not want to waste part of their household budget paying others to do yardwork that could be eliminated altogether by simplifying the yard and having less plants. These are all fine reasons to request a low-maintenance landscape.

Other homeowners want to create something unique out of their property. If the typical residential property is low-maintenance, then a high-maintenance landscape will truly stand out by contrast.

So, why do I love high-maintenance gardens? It’s simple. They are typically the best and most beautiful. They usually have the most variety and detail. They have the most thought and effort put into them, and the results reflect this.

Find out more from our Lakefront Landscaping partner, Kyle Burgamy, here.